NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Ranking the Top 32 Wide Receivers in the NFL
With the end of the season only two weeks away, we have seen teams step up their play in hopes of earning a playoff spot or even better positioning in the playoffs. The Patriots and the Falcons are already in the playoffs as are the Steelers. They aren’t going to be sitting their starters however as they still need to secure some higher seeding in the NFL’s “Big Dance”, so expect a lot out of many of these teams as they try to make that playoff push.
So let’s see what happened to your favorite wide receiver between this week and last week. There are some changes in the rankings this week so pay close attention to see where the NFL’s top wide receivers rank this week.
32. Mike Williams-Seattle Seahawks
1 of 33
Last Week: Unranked
Williams slips back onto the rankings this week after being out the previous week with an injury. Can he help his team get into the playoffs? We will see this Sunday.
31. Hines Ward-Pittsburgh Steelers
2 of 33
Last Week: 32nd
Wallace isn’t the only receiver in Pittsburgh having a good season. Ward is right there helping out as well and has been quietly having a pretty nice season.
30. Mike Thomas-Jacksonville Jaguars
3 of 33
Last Week: 30th
Thomas continues to be the best receiver in Jacksonville and although he may not have strong numbers, he’s a big asset in their passing game. Will he be able to help his team pass their way into the postseason?
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29. Davone Bess-Miami Dolphins
4 of 33
Last Week: 28th
Bess and Marshall could be considered a top tandem at the receiver position in the NFL if they had their quarterback issues straight. Hopefully the two will have a much better season next year.
28. Malcolm Floyd-San Diego Chargers
5 of 33
Last Week: 24th
Floyd didn’t play on Thursday night against the 49ers but hopes are that he will be back this week and help the Chargers get into the playoffs. Teamed up with Vincent Jackson, the Chargers may have an unstoppable duo on offense.
27. Lance Moore-New Orleans Saints
6 of 33
Last Week: 31st
Moore continues to be a threat in the passing game and is a nice outlet receiver when Brees needs one. Look for him to step it up as the Saints try to make a run at the playoffs in their final two games.
26. Deion Branch-New England Patriots
7 of 33
Last Week: 29th
Since coming back to the Patriots, Branch has been one of the biggest threats in the passing game and is one of many reasons why this team is playing the way that it is. Can he continue to help them like he has in the playoffs? Stay tuned.
25. Derrick Mason-Baltimore Ravens
8 of 33
Last Week: 27th
The combination of Mason and Boldin has been a good one for the Ravens and quarterback Joe Flacco. Let’s see how both of these guys do as the Ravens vie for a playoff spot.
24. Braylon Edwards-New York Jets
9 of 33
Last Week: 26th
With quarterback Mark Sanchez playing better, can Edwards help the Jets get into the playoffs? We will find out as they play these last two games and hopefully Edwards can contribute and be a big part of their playoff push.
23. Jabar Gaffney-Denver Broncos
10 of 33
Last Week: 25th
The Broncos receivers don’t get enough attention and they do deserve it. Despite the fact the team hasn’t been winning a lot of games this season, they do have a nice passing attack and guys like Gaffney deserve recognition.
22. Brandon Marshall-Miami Dolphins
11 of 33
Last Week: 23rd
Many hope that the Dolphins will be able to improve their passing game during the offseason and have a much stronger one when they come back to play in 2011. That would be nice so that they can take full advantage of the talent that they have in Marshall.
21. Mike Williams-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
12 of 33
Last Week: 20th
If the Bucs do manage to get to the playoffs, you can bet that Williams will be an important part of any success that they might have in the postseason.
20. Johnny Knox-Chicago Bears
13 of 33
Last Week: 22nd
Knox climbs up the rankings after having a nice Monday night game. He has established himself as the Bears deep threat and after seeing what he can do (on Monday night) he should have opposing defenses concerned.
19. Chad Ochocinco-Cincinnati Bengals
14 of 33
Last Week: 21st
Now that Terrell Owens is out for the season, expect a lot of passes to be thrown Ochocinco’s way. Maybe he will pad his numbers and move up the rankings.
18. Anquan Boldin-Baltimore Ravens
15 of 33
Last Week: 18th
The Ravens have to be happy with their offseason acquisition of Boldin. He has really helped make this team much more potent in the passing game and should be able to help them get a playoff berth in the next two weeks.
17. Wes Welker-New England Patriots
16 of 33
Last Week: 19th
What more can you say about Welker? He’s the go to guy in one of the NFL’s best passing offenses and is always in the right place at the right time. He’s definitely going to be a huge asset in the playoffs for the Patriots.
16. Larry Fitzgerald-Arizona Cardinals
17 of 33
Last Week: 17th
The Cardinals haven’t been doing nearly as good as anyone predicted and Fitzgerald isn’t having his best season. Hopefully Arizona can get a quarterback in this offseason that will be able to take advantage of the talent that they have in Fitzgerald.
15. Miles Austin-Dallas Cowboys
18 of 33
Last Week: 16th
The Cowboys may not be in the hunt for the playoffs but they are still fighting hard. Austin is right there with them as an important part of their bid to close the season strong. He’s seeing some additional passes thrown his way thanks to the loss of Dez Bryant for the season.
14. Steve Johnson-Buffalo Bills
19 of 33
Last Week: 15th
Johnson started out the year pretty hot catching nine touchdowns early, but he hasn’t had any since. He is still a valuable option in the passing game, but perhaps ever since his touchdown drop (remember that one) the Bills aren’t looking his way that much any more.
13. Santana Moss-Washington Redskins
20 of 33
Last Week: 14th
Moss has had to work with two different quarterbacks now this season but continues to be the go to guy for those quarterbacks. He is truly one of the most unheralded wide receivers in the NFL.
12. Jeremy Maclin-Philadelphia Eagles
21 of 33
Last Week: 11th
You really have to like the wide receivers for the Eagles this season. They have one of the best groups in the NFL and Maclin is a big part of that unit. He’s very productive and a threat to score every time he gets his hands on the ball.
11. Dwayne Bowe-Kansas City Chiefs
22 of 33
Last Week: 9th
Where would the Chiefs be without Bowe? Not as far along as they are right now that’s for sure. Bowe has been a great asset to this team and is the NFL’s scoring leader at the position (with 14 touchdowns). Will he build on that total as the Chiefs make a run at the playoffs?
10. Marques Colston-New Orleans Saints
23 of 33
Last Week: 13th
The Saints passing attack is known as one of the best in the NFL and it’s led by Colston. Colston and Brees are the literal “dynamic duo” and Colston has helped the Saints win a lot of games this season. Hopefully he will be able to help them win and get into the playoffs so that they can defend their Super Bowl title.
9. Hakeem Nicks-New York Giants
24 of 33
Last Week: 12th
The Giants have had a lot of problems with their receivers staying healthy this season and with Nicks back, the Giants passing attack is much stronger. Can Nicks help lift the Giants into the playoffs at the end of the season?
8. Mike Wallace-Pittsburgh Steelers
25 of 33
Last Week: 8th
Wallace has been an important part of the Steelers offense all season. Look for him to have a big postseason as his team makes their way into the playoffs.
7. DeSean Jackson-Philadelphia Eagles
26 of 33
Last Week: 10th
We aren’t counting Jackson’s big punt return for a touchdown in these rankings, but as a wide receiver Jackson is turning out to be one of the top in the NFL. Can he continue to play well and help his team get into the playoffs?
6. Calvin Johnson-Detroit Lions
27 of 33
Last Week: 7th
Johnson continues to be the main threat in Detroit and is helping his team win some games. With quarterback Matthew Stafford back next year, imagine what Johnson and the rest of the Lions can do.
5. Greg Jennings-Green Bay Packers
28 of 33
Last Week: 3rd
Green Bay quarterbacks continue to rely on Jennings as their No. 1 wide receiver and he isn’t letting them down. He’s a great target and knows what to do with the ball after the catch.
4. Andre Johnson-Houston Texans
29 of 33
Last Week: 5th
Johnson has been an important part of the Texans offense this season and is one of the best at his position. It’s too bad that we won’t be getting a chance to see him in the playoffs. Perhaps we will next season.
3. Brandon Lloyd-Denver Broncos
30 of 33
Last Week: 2nd
Lloyd falls back a little bit in the rankings but he’s still a top receiver and may end up getting to the Pro Bowl this year. Will new Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow rely on him like Kyle Orton did? We will find out in the next two games.
2. Reggie Wayne-Indianapolis Colts
31 of 33
Last Week: 4th
Wayne has been putting together some nice games over the past few weeks and deserves to be in the second spot. Let’s see how much he can help his team get into the playoffs as the Colts close out the season.
1. Roddy White-Atlanta Falcons
32 of 33
Last Week: 1st
It’s pretty difficult to get White out of this spot. He’s leading the NFL in catches and yards and is the top target in one of the NFL’s best offenses. The best thing is, his team is headed to the playoffs and he could put on quite a show there.
Those That Dropped Off
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The following players dropped off the rankings this week:
Terrell Owens-Cincinnati Bengals
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